Improvement in methods of using carbonic-acid gas as a motive power



l. WESTCOTT. 1 Method of Using Carbonic-Acid Gas as a Motive: Power.

No 168,54:6, Patented0ct.5,1875.

WITNESSES moan:

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron.

JOHN wns'roorr, on TocoI, FLORIDA.

IMPROVEMENT IN METHODS OF USING CABBONlC-ACID GAS AS A MOTlVE POWER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 168,546, dated October 5, 1875; application filed September 13, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WESTOOTT, of

Tocoi, in the county of St. Johns and State of Florida, have invented a new and Improved Method of Utilizing Carbonic-Acid Gas as a Motive Power; and I do hereby declare the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawing forming a part of this specification, in which the figure is a side elevation, with the multiplier or receiver in section.

The object of' this invention is to enhance the value of aeriform motors or gas-engines by providing a new method of storing and utilizing the expansive gas which constitutes the motive power. It consists in conducting the carbonic-acid or other gas from its generator toa receiver or multiplier, where it is expanded by heat, which multiplier is filled with vegetable or animal charcoal, or other amorphous form of carbon, or equivalent absorbent material, whereby a much greater quantity of the gas is stored up in the multiplier with less pressure upon the same than can be attained under ordinary circumstances, the charcoal absorbing, under ordinary temperature, about thirty-five times its volume of carbonicacid gas, so that when the multiplier is charged from the generator it holds in reserve a far greater available force than is indicated by the pressure-gage, which, when properly developed and eliminated by the application of heat or electricity, is available as a motive power sufficiently constant, when re-enforced from time to time by the generator, to be a practical success. I

The invention also consists in the method of developing, expanding, and eliminating the gas held by the charcoal by the application of heat through a vehicle of boiling oil, which is made to pass continuously through a heating-boiler and a series of tubes contained in the multiplier. The multiplier is fed by the generator from time to time, as it may require replenishing, and the gas utilized is discharged into a closed exhaust-box filled with the charcoal or absorbent material, by which it is reabsorbed and retained, and ready to be substituted forthe charge in the multiplier when necessary.

In illustrating my invention, I have shown its application to a locomotive; but it is obvious that it is intended to be used for all the industrial purposes in which motive power is required.

A represents a gas-generator adapted to develop carbonic-acid gas from a mixture of sulphuric or hydrochloric acid with marbledust or other cheap carbonates. Said generators are made strong enough toresist the required pressure, andare provided with suitable agitators and openings for charging and cleaning out. They are also, preferably, two in number, so that one is always ready for use while the other is being cleaned out, and the arrangements for feeding the acid are such that, instead of mixing the whole charge at once, it may be fed to the carbonate gradually, according to the circumstances of theqcase. B is the receiver or multiplier, which communicates with the generator through a suitable pipe, 0., and with the in duction-port of the engine cylinder through a second pipe, b. Within thesaid multiplier is placed the absorbent material, which may be animal or vegetable charcoal, asbestus, or other material capable ot'exertin g that adhesive surface attraction which causes the absorption of the gas. 0 is a series or coil of pipes placed in the multiplier, and passing through the absorbent material in the same. Said coil is attached to a heatingboiler, and through the same boiling oilis made to circulate as a vehicle of heat for the development and elimination of the gas from its condensed form in the-charcoal. As the development of the gas must be conducted uniformly and with care, the boiling oil is specially adapted to the purpose, for the reason that it is capable of a much higher degree of heat without evaporating than water or other available liquids, andits temperature is not subject to sudden variations or fluctuations, which might prove disastrous to the multiplier. D is an airtight exhaust-box, into which the waste gas is discharged after being utilized in the cylinder. This box is made perfectly tight, and is filled with absorbent material of the same kind that is contained in the multiplier, which reabsorbs a portion of the carbonic-acid gas, and prevents the entire waste of the same. E is one of the driving-wheels, which is rotated by the engine through the usual connections, orgby means of a friction-wheel engaging with its 'to get an action sufficiently continuous.

periphery. In operating an engine constructed according to my plan it will be necessary to feed the multiplier from the generator from time to time, and the oil-pipes will be provided with stop-cocks to regulate the flow of oil from the boiler,and the transmission of heat to the multiplier, according to the development of gas from the absorbent required to augment or supplement the power.

As compared with the fuel for steam-engines the cost of the materials are but trifling, the carbonates being so abundant as to make them cost only for transportation, and the acid used being of less value than the sulphate of lime, which is the product of the QQ Q QPQ M I n.oqa Q i -c i rgasoenginesoW heretofore attempted the difficulty has been If a large quantity is generated, sufficient to last for-a considerable time, the pressure is either too great, or too large and cumbersome a generator is required. By means-of the principle of surface adhesion or magnetic attraction which charcoal and some other substances manifest as to admit of the storing of large volumes of the gas under pressure without risk to the ten- -sile strength of the receiver.

Now, as this attraction of the absorbent v for the gas is comparatively feeble, and theaffinity easily broken up by heat, it will be seen that I have at command an immense power stored. up, which I may utilize at the intervals between the operation of the generapete with steam for some purposes, and, in

many respects, be vastly superior to it, there being no smoke and cinders, and but little heat, which advantages give it a specialadaptation to use on street-railways.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is U l, 116 herein-described methodof utilizing. carbonic-acid and other gases to be used as a motive power, by storing the same up by condensation through the surface attraction of charcoal or other equivalent absorbent placed in a receiver, and afterward eliminating and developing the said gas by heat or electricity when desired.

2. The method of applying the heat, for the purpose of effecting the elimination and development of the gas, by means of a vehicle of boiling oil, which is made to circulate through pipes in the receiver, substantially as described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 9th day of September, A.

JOHN WESTGOTT. Witnesses:

SoLoN G. KEMoN, CHAS. A. PETTIT. 

